Cypress County updates drought plan with dry summer ahead
In preparation for projected dry conditions, Cypress
County has made some adjustments to its Drought Plan.
One of the larger changes is that the stages of the plan will now be dictated by the flow levels of the South Saskatchewan River, as the AEP level 1-4 “triggers” have been taken out. This is to help collaboration with the City of Medicine Hat, as explained in the agenda item prepared by Doran Jensen, utilities supervisor.
Work will also be done to communicate regulations as they come into effect over social media, said director of public works Ken Jacobs.
“Once we get into stage one, and likely before, we’ll throw the messaging out there on social media that the plan is in place, and to refer to it for restrictions and for times for watering,” said Jacobs. “It just increases the restriction as we go into stage two and stage three and stage four.”
Reduction goals of 10-30%, which were in the initial plan, have been adjusted. While these were originally in line with the city’s goals, it’s been found that the county has fewer ways of reducing water usage, as most of its water goes to lawns and tap usage.
Details regarding stages of the drought plan and the associated restrictions are available on the Cypress County website.
2023 ag service board report
The Cypress County agricultural service board made its annual report to council Wednesday as part of the regular meeting, highlighting accomplishments and goals for the coming year.
“This is a summary basically out of the 2023 activities,” said Lisa Sulz, agricultural supervisor. “Throughout the province, the ASBs are responsible for administering and enforcing the agricultural support act, the agricultural pests act, the soil conservation act and supporting the animal health act.”
Sulz also noted that it remains a priority to provide agricultural and environmental services to ratepayers.
Weed control staff inspected and destroyed weeds at 46 known sites and two new ones, as well as controlled weeds at 106 known sites.
Over the course of the year, biocontrol saw 12 sites with a leafy spurge problem, two sites of Russian knapweed and worked with Ag Canada on a trial to handle Russian olive trees.
They noted a potentially invasive plant in German statice, which has been recommended as an alternative to baby’s breath for many years, said Sulz.
“Unfortunately that’s in our neck of the woods here. So summer staff spends a lot of time digging out German statice that is growing. So we’re keeping an eye on that,” said Sulz.
Pest control inspected various sites for pests, including ring rot, grasshoppers and 232 sites for Norway rats as part of their annual inspection. They also participated in a Dutch Elm Disease survey.
No serious soil erosion issues were identified this year. One instance of avian influenza was noted as part of the animal health act, but no action was required and no other reportable animal health issues were seen.